Golden Port Salou & Spa

The Hotel Golden Port Salou is housed in a large brick building with brass details around the windows and white arches on the roof. The spacious, bright lobby looks a bit like it was modeled after a shopping mall, with a big brass light fixture and tons of fake potted plants sprinkled high and low. Green marble pillars and brown linoleum drive the tired style home in the large restaurant, while the crowded main bar is awash in wood tones and greens. It's not the most inspiring location for a Spanish coastal retreat, and the common areas are busy at all times. Guests here are mostly British families and couples.

The Hotel Golden Port Salou is on the outskirts of downtown Salou in an area surrounded by other hotels. Capellans Beach and Levante Beach are both around a 10-minute walk away. PortAventura Park, a theme park that is one of the town's main attractions and great for families, is a five-minute drive from the hotel, while Cala de la Font Beach and Aquopolis are also five minutes away by car. Reus Airport, the closest to Salou, takes 15 minutes to reach, while Barcelona-El Prat Airport is an hour away by car. Barcelona’s city center is an 80-minute drive from the hotel. 

Rooms at the hotel have a typical chain-style feel, with brown sponge-painted walls and red striped comforters on the hard beds. Light wood laminate floors and abstract art add a slight modern touch, but make no mistake -- from the sagging armchairs to the color palette and worn furniture, these rooms are dated. All rooms have air-conditioning (only during summer months), flat-screen TVs, and coffeemakers, but there are fees for safes and mini-fridges. Furnished balconies are a plus, and some have views of the pool. Bathrooms are modern but plain, with tan tiling and thin white linoleum countertops. Although some bathrooms have shower/tub combos, most have walk-in showers.

The Hotel Golden Port Salou has multiple swimming pools, including a large outdoor pool with a waterfall feature, a second outdoor games pool, and a compact kids' pool, plus an indoor pool with a hot tub. There's also a large solarium with two additional hot tubs. Mediterranean cuisine is served at the on-site restaurant, which gets decent reviews, while cocktails, beer, and snacks are offered at the poolside bar. The main bar has live entertainment and pool tables and serves sandwiches, pasta, and pizza along with drinks. All-inclusive rates area available, but there are restrictions. The Gold Port Salou Spa has numerous features, including a Vichy shower, a jetted pool, a sauna, and a steam room. Treatments range from massages to Fangotherapy (mud-based treatments). The fitness center has treadmills, exercise bikes, and weight machines and there's a computer station in the main bar. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property. Kid-friendly features include an outdoor playground and a mini-golf course. The colorful Goldy Kids Club is free, but it's only open for a couple of hours in the morning and again in the evening. On-site garage parking is available for a fee.